Method of and apparatus for manufacturing concrete products



May 24,1932. E. H. LocKwooD METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CONCRETE PRODUCTS Filed Dec. 29. 192e 8 sneaks-sheet 1 QNM.

.4 T TORNEK May 24, 1932.

E. H-. LOCKWOOD METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CONCRETE PROl-DUCTS Filed Dec. 29, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEK May 24, 1932. A E. H. LocKwooD METHOD .OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CONRETE PRODUCTS Filed Deo. 29. 192e sheets-Shee't 3 May 24, 1932. E. H. LocKwooD 1,859,878

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CONCRETE PHODUTS Filed Deo. 29, 192e s sheets-sheet 4 ATTORNEI.

May 24, 1932. E. H. LocKwooD 1,859,378

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May 24, 1932. E. H. LocKwooD kME'Il'K-)D FAND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING. CONCRETE PRODUCTS 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 I Filed Dec. 29, 1926 M ATTORNEX .WMN

Mill/l//A m Q 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 E. H. L OCKWOOD METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CONCRETE PRODUCTS AMaly 24, 1932.

Filed Dec. 29, 1926 Patented` May 24, 1932 ERNEST H. LooKWoOD, or PASADENA, onLiroRiiiA Application filed December 29, 1926. i Serial No.715i7264i0.Y

This invention relates to the art of concrete construction and more particularly toV the art of producing structures by utilizing precast concrete slabs which may be secured Y ,5 together and combined with concrete cast therein oi tlierearound to form such structures.

inafter described to provide a concrete. slab which is especially suited for use in various forms of building structure, this slab being provided with a novel form of reinforcement and with novel means-for attaching it toadjacent slabs in said structurel i It is a furthe-r object of the invention'to provide a process and apparatus by which sucli slabs can be economically producedin f quantities and in which the slabs are produced in such a form that they can be trans- 2.o orted economicall and with small likeli- .t P .Ya

hood of injury, to the point of consumption. The slab required in the type of building construction described in `my companion ap plication, SerialY No. `l7l,l98,filed `March 2, ,25 1927, is a thin parallelopipedonhaving right angled edges and corners, this slab being particularly suited to the construction of rectangular structures. By a suitable modification of the apparatus employed, other forms Y of slab may be produced which vmay be suited for other purposes, but the annexed draw ings and the following description will be directed especially to the form of slab above referred -to Without, however,A limiting myself to this particular form beyond the scope `of the' annexed claims.

Concrete is formed-ofmaterials which, when mixedwith Water, form a` plastic mass which can be cast in suitable `molds and i9 which, when so cast, sets orihardens. :In

setting, the concrete absorbspwaterof crys'- tallization and to producea concrete slab of maximum strength it is necessary that the concrete have available a sufficiency ofWa-ter for proper setttingand that it stand for a considerable period to allowV it to Vset and harden. Y

Previous inventors havevv attempted' to form precast slabs or blocks by casting the 5U concreteV in suitable molds in 'Whichit Was It is an object of the invention'to be here-A Fig. l is a my invention.

modified properlyset. When 'slabs are .so cast in insure suiicieiit moisture to induce proper setvting but the number of" molds.usedfis1quite large and the space required for l t the storage ofV such molds and slabs is very large in proportion to the output, and thecostlof handling;

'such slabs and molds is also excessive. f

It a further object of--my invention to provide means by Vwhich slabsmay be'cast vand allowed to set under ideal conditions,'as

to ultimate strength, andby lwhich large quantities of slabs may be produced, with a small investment inv molds and `operating space.V I l Furtlier'objects and advantages will be made evident hereinafter. Y In thev drawings which are for illustrative purposes only: Y

plan "view of thev apparatus of F ig'. 2 is a sectional view'taken :upon Jthe line2 2 ofFigl. fr." Y

Fig. 3 isafperspective view of thelinolding car of my invention engaged in finishing a series of slabs in carrying out' the method of my invention. t y A Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the track mold of my invention. v

Fig. 5 is a perspective view-cfa slab such as may be manufactured in the mold illus# trated inFig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a'vieW of a portion of a slab which might be produced by a modifiedmold, the portion ofv whichis shown in this view. i v Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a joint in the longitudinal track members of the mold of my invention."

Fig. 8 is an elevational vieivof the latch and catch mechanism bv which the molds of my invention are assembled.

secondary traversing car of the apparatusof taken my invention.

allowed to stand yfor a suiiicient peri-odV to i `dividual molds itis not only difficult to'inmolds 42, this line Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. 11. L

Fig. 14 `is a horizontal sectional view on the line 1414 of Figf13.

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of the molding car of the apparatus of myV invention.

Fig. 16 is a horizontal sectional ViewY taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 15.

Fi 17 yis a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16, and showing the molding car travelling in a given direction. Y

Fig. 18 is a View similar to Fig. 17 vand showing the molding car travelling in the opposite direction therefrom.

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are vertical sectional views taken upon correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 15. l j

Fig. 22 is a vertical sectional view taken upon the line 22-22 of Fig. 18.` e

Fig. 23 is a horizontal sectional view taken upon the line 23-23 of Fig. 22.

Figs. 24 and 25 are vertical sectional views takenV upon planes indicated by the lines 2424 and 25-25 of Fig. 22.

A slab such as is produced by my taken method is shown in Fig. 5. This slab is thin and provided With suitable reinforcing means as well as means by which it can be secured to other slabs or other adjacent structure.

One great advantage of my invention is that itenables slabs to be continuously and efficiently produced and cured Without requiring large drying or curing yards and by the utilizationof simple and efficient machinery.

This machinery need not be housed Within a building although in cold climates this'may be desirable. I have not therefore shown an enclosing building in thedrawings.

upon these rails, these cars being duplicates of Yeach other but for the sake of identification being hereinafter referred to as the primary traversing car 40 and the secondary y traversing car 41. These ears may be moved along the rails by any suitable means.

As shown in the plan View of Fi 1, Ithese cars are normally placed in line With each other at each end Aof the molding floor 30 and in this position serve a line yof track extending across lthe moldthe car tothe ear fi-1.

ing floor 30 from up of mei-ii- The track molds 49 are made bers laid parallel .with each other on each side of the center line of the cars 40 Aand V4l., these members being joined andsecured together by means to be hereinafter described.

The track molds 42 when so secured form a pair of parallel tracks upon which a molding ear 43 travels, this car being pulled back and forth on the track molds 42 by a cable driven by means situated on the cars 4() and 41. The space between these parallel tracks forms a mold in which concrete is deposited from the car 43, this concrete being levelled olf by means on the car parallel With the tops of the track molds 42 which have a depth equal to the thickness of the r desired slab. YWhen a course of concrete hasbe'en so laid the car 43 is run. upon one of the cars 4() or 41 as shown in Fig. 2, and the upper por! tions of the cars 40 and 41 are then elevated through a distance equal to the thickness of one of the desired slabs.

The previously cast layer or ccurse of concrete is then covered with paper or 'other separating material and 'another set of track molds is then put in place directly over those at the sides of the previously cast course. The operation is then repeater-l, V'a second course of slabs being laid ane in turn covered with paper. lt is not necessary to for one course to take its final set before casting another course upon it.

By repeatedly ner La Wall is built up consisting vof tra/:l: molds on its outer. faces with a cere between the 'courses consisting of horizontal layers Y of concrete, nach layer being separated from lthe layers belowv and above by a table sepa rating material such as paper. e

Each of these horizontal layers is 4dividedL into slabs by members which extend through the layer from side to side,thesc members being vertically in line vwith' similar members in the horizontal layersv above and below. This allows the slabs to be secured together in tiers or stacks and handled a unit on a suitable truck as shown in Fig. 3. lThe slabs, having been cast in superimposed relationship, are mutually supporting, and a 'tier or stack suitably secured together of use Without danger of breakage.

10omtru-ation of track ymolds j The construction of the track molds 42 v presents certain special problems and these molds Will be described in detail. n

As shown in Fig. 4each track mold 42 includes a pair of track members 49. The track'members 49 are made up in sections 50,

each of which is substantially square in crossysection and yis formed, as shovrn in the drawcasting courses in this manshown in Fig. 3 may be readily transported t.. piace the trackT members 49 are adapted to be joined together by-joints. 56 to form continuous track membersv 49 running the full length ofthe track molds 42. Y

Such a joint 56 is illustrated with the parts thereof positioned in readiness for 'assembly in Fig. 7. Each track section 50 has a maie end 58 which is adapted `to engage wit-haiemale end 59 of an adjacenttrack section. The wood backing member extends slightly beyond the end of the angle iron 51 in the male end 58 to form an engaging block 60 which is beveled lat 61, the beveled portion 61 extending back in the angle iron 51 to provide a recess 62 between the woodvbacking member and the angle iron. The wood backing member 52 is cut oft at 63 shorter than the end of the angle iron 51 at the female end 59 of a track section 50.

A metal dowel pin 65 is welded within the crotch between the adjacent flanges of vthe angle iron 51 where this projects beyond the Y end 63 of the wood backing member 52 in the female section end 59. This dowel pin 65 also projects beyond the end of the angle iron 51 so tha-t when the female end 59 is moved over the male end 58, the dowel pin 65 enters the recess 62 and the block 60 enters the open end of the angle iron 51 of the female end 59.`

The adjacent sections of the track are thus held rigidly in alignment so that the upper and inner surfaces of the angle irons 51 of the two sections are continuous across the joint 56. K

The sections 50 of the longitudinal track members are adapted to be assembled together so that the joints 56 occur opposite each other in opposite track members 49, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

It is also to be noted that the joints 56 are disposed close to points of juncture between the track members 49 and tie plates 68 which tie these members together in spaced relation to form the trackmold 42 as shown in Figs. 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Any weakness which might be inherent in the joints 56 is thereby eliminated by the fact that the'members 49 of one of the sections 50, immediately adjacent to the joints 56, are rigidly tied together by one of the tie plates 68. It is further made clear in Fig. 4 that the joints 56 between track sec'- tions 50 do not occur at corresponding points in adjacent track molds 42 when these are 7 disposed one above the other.

The tie plates 68 each have a tongue 69v provided on each of its opposite ends, the tongues 69 being adapted to project through holes 70 which are formed through the track members 49. The holes 70 are spaced longitudinah ly throughout the length of the track members 49 so that the tie plates 68, which are of the same height as the track members 49,

divide the space between the track members 49 in each track mold 42into a consecutive Ywood backing member 52.

series of slab molds of'uniformrlen'gth equal to the length of slab' it is desired to produce.

ln Figs.l 8to V10 inclusive, itwillbe noted that'each tongue 69is so ormedrup'on its tie 'plate 68 that when it Vprojects .into the hole 70, 4.

the upper edge `7 5 of the tie plate68is^flush with theupper faceof the horizontall flange 76 of' the angle iron. 51.4 Also thelower edge 78 of the tie plate 68i'i's then flush withrthe lower edge 79 of the vertical flange`80of the angle iron| 51. n

A notch 84 is formed in the` iange 80vertically below each hole 70.` A lug 85 vprojects outwardly from each end of the tie plate 68 beneath the tongues 69. Each lug 85 is adapted to be inserted into one of the notches 84 to cooperate withthe tongue 69 tomaintain its tie plate 68 in vertical position.

l Each hole 7 0 extends entirely through the track member 49.' lVlhen" inserted into this hole, the tongue 69 vprojects outwardly beend of a hole 70.

. `Eachwear plate 190 `issuitably apertured to receive a pairofscrews95 which. extend horizontally through the plate into (the A latch 96 has a slot 9,7 through which the screws pass, theslot being of such length as to permit a limitedv slidingmoveinent of thelatch96. c w.

Washers 98 are disposed upon the shanks of the screws 95 against the edgesot the slot 97, and spring washers 100 are'disposed between lthe washers 984 and the heads` of the' screws 95 so as to exert a slightyieldable pressure upon the washers 98,'tending to hold thelatch 96 against the wear plate 90.

A locking canr104 is provided uponthe upper edge of the latch 96 and is so formed that when the latch 96 is slid to the left as shown in Fig. 8, the cam 104 slides beneath the hook 89 and -tendsto exert awedgingaction therea?ainst7 thus drawing` the tongue 69 into the hole 70` so as to' form` an exceed,- ingly snug connection between the tie plate 68 and the longitudinal track member49 On opposite, sides ofthe'inner end. of the holes 7 0, mouths`106 are formed inthe inner surface of the track members 49, as shown in i itis desiredto hold in a fixed `position within the track mold42, these wires'beingshown in `place in Figs. 4 andf5. r The mouths 106 are formed with their `major 'axialplanes horizontally.disposed,equidistant-,from .the

suv

f FA

'may be shaped as shown in Figs.. Y Lf that they are supported medial-ly by the core upperand' lower surfaces of the track membersr49.y InV order that the tongues 107 of the :reinforcing wires 108 may be uniform- 1y positioned in all of the trackmolds 42,

1 which is essential if the slabs to be produced therein rmay be readily assembled together, the mouths 106 are preferably die-formedso that thesel occur in exactly the same positions in each individual slabmold in cach of the trackmolds 42.

In Fig. 10 the tongues 107 are sho-wn in contracted position as these are being inserted yinto the mouthsror apertures 106, thc

vtongues 107, when released, expanding so that each reinforcing wire'is rigidlyY securedun place by they contact of its tongues 107 with.

the opposite vertical edges of the apertures 106.

Core plates 109, as shown in Fig. 4, `are suitably mounted in the inner surfaces of the track members 49 so as to project inwardly therefrom and bek horizontally aligned with the mouths 106. The reinforcing wires 108 4 and 5 so plates 109 or they may have any other desired formation4 to provide a suitable reinforcing means for slabs which may be lcast in the track molds 42. Y Y

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the wear plates 90 of. thev lowermost track mold 44 of the track molds 42 are cut off flush with the lower face of the track. Other track molds 45 of the track molds 42 are adapted to be assembled as just described and be superimposed successively on top of the lowermost mold 44 and on top of each other, the successive molds being secured together in the manlner best shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The tie plates' 68 which separate the finishedk blocks are dis osed vertically above each other in the diffeh'ent courses.

In the construction of all of the track' molds 45, the wear plate 90 instead of being cut off flush' with the lower surface of the mold, eX- tends downward to form a resilient' catch 110 which has a hole 111 which is adapted to slip over and engage the nose 88 of the tie plate 68 disposed directly therebeneath. The wear plate 90v with which the catch 1,10 is integrally formed is rigidly held in fixed relation to the hole 7 0' over which it is placed and the hole 111 is formed so as to lie directly beneath the hole 70 over which the wear plate is'secured. Thus the catch 110 aligns the tie plate 68 of successive track molds 42 directly in vertical alignment with each other. The significance of this vertical alignment will' be understood in the description which will. follow.

Each catchy has outwardly inclined ears 112 which. maybe manually lifted for springing the catchL 110 outwardly when it is desired toi disengagea track mold 42 from the trackmold immediately beneathit. It is to rbe noted. thatr additional resiliency is given the catch 110 by virtue of they spring washers 100 being disposed between the' headsand the Washers 98 of the screws 95.v 1

The track molds are laid in the following manner: l'

Referring specifically to Figs. 1 and 3, a series of parallel track lanes 115 are laid olf on the molding floor 30to be perpendicular to the pits 31 thereof. Just lwithinl the lines 116 marking the opposite edges of the lanes 115,- track aligning pins 117 arev setV in the surface of the floor 30. Stack binding straps 118 are providedwith suitable holes to lit over the aligning pins-117 so that they may belaid thereupon against the floor 30, as shown in Fig. .3, these straps being for a purpose to be described later.

A sheet of flexible material 120, prefer ably thin paper, is now unrolled over the lane 1.15 so that the aligning pins 117 puncture thepaper and the paper' lies down flat against the binding straps 118 and the surface of the floor 30. The binding straps 118 V are formed of such thin material, this being preferably a light sheet metahthat they raise the paper only a small distance above the surface of the floor 30. A track mold 44 is now laid upon the sheet of paper 120 so 'that the pins 117 project upwardly just inside the y track members 49 so as to position the track mold in accurate alignment upon .each side of the lane 115. The pins 117 are sotplaced that the binding straps 118, when laid over these pins, will be disposed transversely of the lane'll, a pair of straps being positioned at opposite ends of each individual slab mold 121 which is formed in the track mold 44. The purpose of this disposition of the binding straps 118 will be made clear later. It will be seen that the pins 117 with the plates 68 determine the alignment and the gaugerespectively ofthe initial track molds 44 in which the lowermost course of concrete is laid, and that the depth of the track molds determines the thickness of the slab produced, Also the plates 68 form the ends of the slabs, and the distance between the plates 68 determines the length of the' slabs. lt will be further evident when a horizontal course of these slabs has been formed that it can be covered with paper and anotherv track mold can bev set in place upon the first.

T he traversing cars The apparatus usedto fill the track mold will now be described, first considering the traversing cars 40 and 41.

In these cars, as shown in Figs. 11, 12, etc.,

inner and outer pairs of under carriage channelirons and 131 respectively are provided with wheels 132 which roll upon the ktracks 85 and support the car 41. Longi tudlinal channel irons 133s extend across the upper faces of the pairs of channel irons 130 and 131, connecting these pairs of channel irons together and forming the base frame 134 of the car 41. Vertical channell irons 136 are disposed between the pair of` channel irons 131 and rigidlysecured thereto justV inside of the wheels 132, as clearly shown in Fig. ll.

Brace channel irons 137 brace the upper endsof `the channels 136 to thehorizontal Hold-down lugs 142 are provided upon the p lower end of the vertical channels 136 are positioned beneath the head 141 of the outermost rail 35 to prevent the outer endA of ther traversing car 4 1 being lifted upward, the necessity of this precaution being made evident inv the description Vwhich follows.

An elevating platform 150 is provided upon the car 41, channel end members 151 and longitudinal channel members 152 which connect the channel members 151 and pass directly inside of the vertical channels 136. i

A sliding bar153 is built up fat the juncture of the elevating platform channel members 151 and 152 to surround theV vertical guide members 136 so that as the platform 150 is raised or lowered this movement will be maintained in a true vertical direction.

A floor of planking V155 is formed upon the top of the elevating platform V150, this floor supporting upon the center thereof areceiving platform 160 which has a flat .upper surface and parallel edges which are separated the same distance as the outer edges of the track members'49 of the track molds 42.

A pulley 161 is provided with suitable mounting' upon the outer end of the car receiving platform v160. p

A mechanism for elevating theV platform 150 consists of four threaded shafts 163 which are vertically disposed andmounted Vunderneath the four corners of the platform 150 Vupon the pairs of channel irons 130Y and 131. These shafts support the platform 1,50 through worm gear Vnuts `164 whichfare threadedly received on the shafts and which hear upwardly against plateswhich are secured upon the lower faces of end channel irons 151 and auxiliary channel irons V165 which are welded at their opposite ends to platform channel irons 152 in close spaced relation to the end channel irons 151. The nuts 164 are all maintained at the same level by the mechanism which is best illustrated in Fig. 12. The worm gear nuts 164 are driven in unison through four wor-1115169 secured in pairs upon the transverse shafts 17() which shaft-s are driven in opposite directions at the same speed by a longitudinal the platform 150 havingv shaft 171 which engages with the shafts 170 l through pairs of spiral gears 172. The shaft Y 171 may be manually rotated by a crank 17 3,"

thus rotating the worm gear nuts V164 in the same direction at a uniform rate :of-speed and causing the travelling' platform 150:'to

be raised 1or lowered as desired. When the travelling platform 150 is lowered so' as to rest upon the longitudinallchannels 133, the

upper face of the receiving` platform 160 is` on `a level and contingent with one end of a trackmold 42 which has beenlaid, as previously described, upon; the molding floor 30 `in a. molding lane 115 oppositewhich the traversing car 41 is positioned;

in construction withtlie secondary travers- 'aiA 80 The primary traversing car 40 is identical ingcar 41 with the exception that in place ef the pulley 161, the primary traversing car` 40 is provided with an electric winch 180 which has a, drive pulleyl81 which is centrally disposed upon kthe car 40 behind a receiving platform 182 thereof whichis identical with the 'receiving platform -160. It will Abeevident thatV the cars 40 and 41 are not only capable of being moved along` the rails 35 into aposition in line with any of the track molds 42, but that the yplatforms ofv the cars can be adjustedsverticaily so that these platforms are-in the same plane as the top ofthe trackmolds as each set is added to the wall so that the car 43 can be run olf either end of the track lmold-42 onto either car 40. or 41 and elevated therewith to lay the next-higher course. v

The moldingcar: 43 is driven'back and forth between the carsj40 and 41'bya cable 183 which is wound about'and driven by the drive-pulley 181, passingfrom this pulley across and above the track mold 42 and about the pulley 161, each end of the cable 183 being secured to the car 43. s

By a suitable actuation of the electric*` winch 180, the car A43 may be pulled ineither direction. Y

Taf@ mazda-g am The car 43 is designed to `fill the track molds 42 Vwith concrete and to accomplish certain other desirable results to be hereing after defined.v Its method of construction and operation will Vbe now described.

Referring to Fig. 3 and Figsl 'to 25,

inclusive, the molding car 43 has a body`190` which provides aplastic concrete compartment 191 anda finishingr material compartment 192. The bodyr has longitudinalf side beams 193 upon the lower surface'of which are mounted journal boxes 194 supported by axles. 195 carrying Vflanged wheels' V196. The wheels 196 vare adapted Vto roll upon the horizontal flanges 76 of the angle irons 51 of the track members `49 to support,

the car 43 directly over one of the track molds 42. The lbody196 is provided with aV plastic i concrete compartment mouth member 197 and rear and front end plates 201 and 202 respectively. The side plates 200 `extend forward beyond the front plate202 to form side plates 203 of a mouth member 204 of the finishing material compartment 192, which will be described later. The side plates 200 of the mouth member' 197 are so positioned upon the car body 190 that their outer surface is in vertical alignment with the inner face of the track members 49 of a track mold 42 whenY the car 43 is supported thereupon.

A telescopic member 208 has side bars 209 which slide upon the outer surface of the mouth member plates 200 and whose lowery edges form a tight sliding,- fit with the upper surface of the track members 49 as best shown in Fig. 19.

A rear spacer bar 210'connects the rear ends of the bars 209 as shown in Fig. 16; A rear strike-'off bar 211 connects the rear ends of the bars 209 and is slidably disposed in vertical axle slots 212 formed-in the rear ends of the mouth member side plates 200 to receive the Vrearmost axle 195 upwardly therein. r1`he rear strike-off bar 211 fits in tight sliding engagement with the rear face of the rear mouth member pla-te 201. The

Vlower edge of the strike-off bar 211 is disposed on the same level as the lower edge of the side bars 209 of the telescopic member 208. A pair of forward spacer bars 215, which are best illustrated in Figs. 22 to 25 inclusive, connect the forward ends of the side bars 209 and are adapted to slide vertically in slots 216 formed in the side plates 200 to receive the front aXle 195therein.

rl'he rearinost of the bars 215 maintains a vertical sliding fit with the forwardface of the plate`202.Y

A sub-surface strike-ofi' member 220 is adapted to be slidably disposed in the space 221 between the forward spacer bars 215. The strike-off member 220-is provided with vertical slots 221e at the opposite ends thereof. Cap screws 222 are inserted through suitable apertures in the spacer bars 215 so as to be disposed in the slots 221@ and to permit the strike-off bar 220 a limited vertical movement and giving it an extreme downward position in which the lower edge is disposed beneath the upper surface of the track mold 42. Slots 223 are formed downwardly in the upper edge of the strike-off member 220 at its opposite ends. Bores 224 are formed downwardly in the Vopposed faces of 'the rspacer bars 215 so as to lie withinY the area of the slots 223. i

. Compression springs 225 are placed in the bores 224 and threaded plugs 226 are received in the upper threaded ends 227 of the bores 224 so as to bear downwardly against the springs 225 and position. Thus,

be raised-at the endsfo'f the individual slab molds 121, however, so that its lower edge 228 will pass over the tie plates 68. The strikeoff member 220, therefore, is provided with a pair of cam members 230 having lower cam faces 231 whichare adapted to engage the upper edge of rkeach tie plate 68 so the strike-off member 220 will be raised against the pressure of the springs 225 and permit the strike-off member 220to pass over the top of the tie plate 68, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 24 and 25.- It is obvious that by tightening` cap screws 222 sub-strikeoff member 220 may be held upwardly in a position in which it will strike off material level with the top of the mold. y

rl`he telescopic member 203 is secured to the lower end of the hopper mouth vmember 197 for a limited sliding movement therey upon inthe following manner. At various intervals along the lower portion of the side plates 200, opposite pairs ofV holes 235 are formed to receive rods 236 which are threaded ontheir opposite ends to receive nuts 237 and washers 238. The outer end portions ofV the rods 236 project outward through vertical slots 240 formed inthe side bars 209 of the telescopic member 208. The washers 238 are spaced from the outer surface of the side plates 200 by spacer tubes 241 which are disposed in the slots240 so that when the nuts 237 are tightened down the washers bear upon the outer surface of the side bars 209 to permit the telescopic member 208 freedom for vertical sliding movement upon the hopper mouth member 197. 'Angle brackets 243 are provided upon the outer surface of the side plates 200 and directly beneath the brackets 243, angle brackets 244 are secured upon the bars 209. The upper end of a threaded bolt 246 is rigidly secured tot-he bracket- 243 and carries a nut 247 thereupon directly below the bracket 243. The lower end of the stem of the bolt 246 projects through a suitable hole provided in the bracket 244 and a compression spring 248 is disposed about the stem vof the bolt 246 to bear its opposite ends upon the nut 247 and the bracket 244. Thus an adjustable pressure is exerted downward between the nut 247 and the bracket 244 tending Vto Vhold the telescopic `member 208 in tight, yieldable engagement with theuppert'ace of the tracks 49 v Brushes 255 are secured by brackets upon the outer Surface of the side bars 209 upon opposite sides rof each Wheel 195. The brushes 255 bear against the upper surface of the track members 49 so-as toremoveany matter upon `this surface in ,advance ofthe: ,Wheels 195 as they pass over tins surface.:`

Spacer. tubes 256 are disposed aboutthe` trowvel attaching portions `258,A to which leXi ble trowel plates 259 'are riveteda and which. have'upstanding arms260` which are `disposed in parallelisnrand `are connected by'A Jitman bars 261:. In the embodiment shovvn Vthere are live or rnese troWels Withtlie necessary assoclated structure f which .are adapted to be disposed'v in either one of two angular ositions invvhich thev are shown inv Figs. u D

17 and 18 or .in any position in between these extreme positions. Thisfchange impositions is effected by handles 2 65 which are formed i bythe elongation of the center -trovvel frame arms 260.V These Ahandles-265 are `joined by;

a spacer member 266. for the purpose of' uniting them. The handles 265 can thus be manuallv swung fromthe osition in which the u C n vare shown in Fig..17 to! that in vvhichthey are shown in Fig..1`8, or Yvice versa, in order to changey the angular vdisposition of .the trovvelplates 259.* -The purposeV ot this change-in angle ot the tr'oWel plates 25.9 will be described later. Y

The compartments 191'a'nd 192 are 'divided by a Wall 270'.l 'An inclined Wall271 is formed.

of metal and projects forward from the low-fv er end of the Walll270and'1s bent rearward Yat'its'lower end to form ia Ahorizontal Wall- 272, the piece of metal 'formi-ng lthesf'iwalls 271 and 272 beingfrvelded at opposite edges to the forward extending. portions 203 of the side plates 200 to complete the 'mouth memf ber 204 of the iinishing Ymaterialfcompart` K i r f same level as thatrofsthe Wall 287.

ment 192.

At the opposite end of thecar 43` a similar horizontal Wall 272e is provided ad]acent the Y rear strikeo" bar 211. The" drawings shozvf Wall 27 2e somewhat'diagrammatically its relation tothe molds. This wall is provided" solely for thefpurpose of preventing upheaval oi the plastic molding material. it is torbe understood that the lengt-li of the Wall. 272e as Well as thedistance it is positioned above the upper level of the mold 42 lon' which the car 43 is travelling may be varied toaccom-V modate material ot'greater or less'iiuidity.

An inclined ffuideivav`273fis formed be-Y tween a Vforward Wall 274 of the compartment 192 and the .lower @mi `ofal@iraniani.w11

271. tAin inclined gate 276 is adapted .to' 'be' Sld lerwad vthrough the guideway 273 t close the opening 277,1 enclosed within .the

guidevvay, and effectively retainthe material in the compartment 192 from being \dis-/ charged downwardtherefrom.V l 1 The gate 276 is provided fvvith: ashort 280 which is enmeshed With a pinion geari..- 281 formed upon ashaft 282 Whichis'suitably journaled in the side beams 193 land provided with ahandle so that the gatel276 may be `manually controlled.

A finishingmaterial has side Wal1s`286 andan inclinedY forvvard:

spreading i Wall 287 which is bent rearWardly'toforni an upper Wall 288. The rearendsof the side Walls 286 are pivoted bybolts289 to the for-- Ward end of the forwardly extendingside plates 203. VThe-'upper Wall'288'has slidingVV esv engagement vvitlranVV arcuate lip. 2955er the;

`mouth member 204.. Fixedtrovvelsf296 are? rigidly but adjustably mounted in the intee rior of the spreading hood-285 ,by studs297,

provided upon the inner- ,surf ace, of,thehvoocb -i `r Y Aside Walls 286 `and;receiving nuts 429.8 -which tightly ubear against upstanding-.ears 300 j formed upon the trovvels296.

Brackets 301 are rigidlyV secured to the out;A

side faces of the sidewalls 286.'iThreaded rods 302 are yadapted to bef disposedin holes,

303 in the brackets-301solthat the lrods. 302.

Willbe heldin vertical position With their upper lends touching the car vbody sidebeams 193- Locknuts 304, adjustably positioned i upon the vrodsv302, bear downward-against Washers" 305 4so as .to compress,springs306 f between the vvashers-305`and the bracket 530,1.' f l I The springs :306 `are thus caused. to vexert an.: adjustably yielding pressure dovv.'nvvardiupon thefspreading hood285..

The spreadinghood 285, as'shovvn'in 17 and18,has both raised and lowered posi- .tions. When; in its'lovvered position the;v lovver Vedgevof the side Walls 286 "thereofV makes tight sliding engagement vvithy the. i upper faces ofthe tracks'49, asv shown ,in

rig. 21. Therion# menne@ wan 2871015 are f spreading hood285 isreinforced ,byv a plate` 310,v the lowerA edge of which is uponfthe;

When thelgate 276 is` closed-fand the car 43is travellinglinthe directionof the.arrovvf Y 301, as shown in'Fig. 17, the spreading hood `285 is adapted to be .raised from contact'fvvit-li'v f the upper face-ofthe tracks 49`by.` a mecha.-

nism described as follows:

A pair of forwardly projecting bracket-si 311 are rigidly secured to'thetorviardjvall *274 and the side beams 193v` ofthe carbody :190.` A pair' of vthrow levers 312 joinechatv.:

their. outerlends, byabar 313 are pivOtedati V l Y 314 upon the outer ends ofthe brackets'31 1, i.

A pair of substantiallyV horizontal arms.318;V "l Vare pivoted at theirrear ends to .thelbolts ing hood 285.

ends of a shaft 318 are secured tothe outer 32()upon .which a surface finishing roller Athe ytracks 49 as shown.

`321 is pivotally mounted.

e Links 322 are pivotally secured upon lthe shaft i320 outsidev the roller 321, the upper endsv ofthe links 322 being pivotally secured to the arms 312 a short .distance from the pivots 314 thereof. Thus when the arms 312 are swung upward to a position as shown in Fig.' 17, the spreading hood 285 and the surface finishingY roller 321 are raised from A roll 330 of ieXi- Vble material, preferably paper, is mounted upon a' shaft 331 which restsin journals 331er. which are provided upon the interior faces of the brackets 311, as shown in Fig.

A reel 335 is provided upon the rear end of the car body 190 for taking up the excess amount of the cable 183 in case it is desired to use a longer piece of cable than necessary for a factory plan of given` proportions, as shown in Fig;l 1.

Longitudinal draft bars 336 are rigidly secured upon the outer facesof'th'e beams 193, the bars 336 being inclined together at opposite ends, which ends are clamped together by bolts 337 to secure an end of the cable 183 thereto. The bars 336 at the forward endfof the car 43 are spaced by a spacer' bar 338 which'is welded to the lbars 336.

t pipe It is one of the feature-s of my'invention to provide an apparatus for oiling the tracks 49 in advance of the trip of the car 43 thereover in the direction indicated by the arrow 301 in Fig. 17.. An oil sprayk apparatus 340 is shown mounted upon the forward ends of the draft bars 336 in Figs. 16 and 17 This apparatus includes an Yoil tank 341, an air tank 342,.an oil supply pipe' 343, and an air supply pipe 344 controlled by. a valve 345, a four-way valve 347 and an oil spray pipe 348 and an air'spray pipe 349. The operation of the oil spray deviceV 340 is as follows:

The set of pipes described are disposed in rduplicate at the opposite sides of the tanks 341 and 342, each set operating in the follow- .ing manner:

W hen the four-way `valve 347 is turned, as shown in Fig. 17, the valve 345 is slightly opened and a stream of air flows outward from the tank 342 through the valve 345, the `344, the four-way valve 347, and the air 'spray pipe 349. The stream of airthus oischarged moves across the mouth of the oil discharge pipe 348 to draw oil Yfrom the tank 341 vand spray this' upon one of the tracks 49 over which the ends of thepipe 348 and 349 are-disposed? When it isdesired to shut H Full description 0f operationv The operation of the apparatus of my invention is as follows:

The molding floor 30, as shown in Fig. l, has a series of lanes 115 marked out thereon as previously described. In commencngfthe slab manufacturing operation,'the car 43 is resting upon the receiving platform 182vof the traversing carv 40. At this time the elevating platforms 150 are in their lowermost positions. The traversing cars and 41 are then rolled upon the tracks 35 so as tobe positioned with'the receiving platforms 160 and 182 in alignment Y with the irstmolding lane 115 at the opposite of the traversing ears ends thereof. A lower-most track mold 44 f having been laid upon the firstv lane 115, asv

Vpreviously described, the receiving platforms 160 and 182 will form a continuous track with the track mold 44 justlaid down, so that the molding car 43 may smoothly travel from the platform 182 onto the track mold 44 and traversing its entire length, travel smoothly therefrom onto the receiving platform 160, and return in a similar manner. As previ.- ously described the upperv faces of the receiving platforms 160 and 182 are flat and therefore when the` molding car 43 rests uponv either of these receiving platforms, the telescopic member 1208 cooperates with the flat platform to make .a substantially tight sliding seal of the lower Vend of the mouth member 197.' A quantity. of plastic concreteV 361 is now poured into the hopper 190 withoutany leakage of this .concretey from the bottom of the car 43. l'The lever arms 312 are thrown lee upward at this time, as shown in Fig. 17,

being turned to `prevent a spray of oil fromk f the oiling apparatus 340.

The car 43 now being ready rfor travelling from the receiving platform 182 over the l lowermost track lmold 44 ontoy theV receivingy platform 160, the valve 347 is moved to spraying position and the electric winch 180is'set in motion so that the cement car 43 is moved I in the direction of the arrow 301. As the telesoopic member 208 is moved from contact with the receiving platform 182 over the open space of thetrack mold 44, the slab molding spaces 121 are filled with plastic"wetemix concrete flowing .downward from the `hopper 191. When the molding car is moving in this direction the sub-surface strike-off member' 220 operates in the manner above described but without useful effect. The rear strike-oil' bar 211 of the telescopic member` 208 strikes off the `plastic concrete. 361, which pours downward fromthev compartment 191 into the molds 121,'upon the level of the upper face of the tracks 49. Where the molding" material has a fairly Huid character the track mold 44 willbe left completely filled with molding material after the car 43 has Vmade one trip over this mold as above described.

In the usual practice, however, the molding material is not sufficiently iuid to accomplish this andafter the first trip of the car 43 over the mold 44, the end portions of each individual mold, which are first to be covered and I. uncovered by the car, are not filled full of material. Instead, shallowdepressions Aappear in the upper `surface of the material in, l these end portions of the individualmolds and it is necessary to make'a return trip of the car 43 over the mold 44 to completely fill the molds 44 with material.` This return trip i will ybe described in the remainder of the de,-

scription of the operation.

` During the travelof the car`43 over the, mold 44 as above described the flexible tro wel plates 259 exert a yieldable downward pres sure causing their lower edges to be flexed, as shown in Fig. 17, thus tending to force Vthe concrete 361 into the slab moldl space 121., The operation of the power winch 180 is continued asl started until the car 43 is entirely disposed upon the receiving platform 160 when the power winch 180 is stopped and the valve 347 is turned to non-spraying posi-4 tion. f K

The hand levers 265 are now swung to the y position in which they are shown inFig: 18

so as tonreverse the inclination of the iexible trowels 259. The lever arms 312 are then swung downward so that the s readino hood 285 and the surface rollers 321 are allowed to rest upon-the upper surface of the receiving platform 160. The gate 27 6is run outwardlyto its open position, as shown in Fig. 18, so as to permit the finishing material 362 to pour downward through the opening 277 intothe spreading hood 285. The tight sliding fit of the spreading hood 285 uponthe upper surface-of the receiving platform 160 pre-4 vents the finishing material 362 from `leaking out of the spreading hood. Tlievloose `end o f the roll of paper 330 isV then threaded underneath the` vslab surface roller 321, fas

shown in Fig.- 18. Y.

The power winch 180 isnow Vstarted in the opposite direction fromY that by whichr the .s

first travel of the car 43 over the track mold 44 was made. The car 43'is thereuponV drawn b v the cable 183 in the direction of the arrow 365, shown in Fig. 18, so as to return over theV tracks 49 of the trackmold 42 from the,

receiving 43. the flexible trowel plates 259: exert a furplatform 160 to the receiving plat-Y form 182. Un the return vpassage of the car" ther pressure against the plastic vconcrete in.`

the individual slab molds 121, thus insuring the penetration of Vt-he plastic concrete to all parts of these molds.

ofi2 the concrete-from the individual molds 121down to a level 366, as shown in li`igz18, which isslightly below the upperl level of The sub-surface strikey off member 220 performsits function -upon A this return trip, this function being to'gauge i these molds. In the same movement of the car V43 the space in the molds121 .above the level 366'is thenfilled with finishing material `362 which is urged downward into.` this space,

bythe rigid trowels296. -1 As the spreading hood 285 thus applies the `finishing material 362, the edge 310 rof the hood 285 strikes off VtheeXcess offinishing material down tothe f upper levelof the mold 44. If desiredthe such as gravel or sand and maybe forced Ainto therwet concretebody of the slab'to cause it to adhere' to the slab. A strip of paper, 367 which unrolls from the roll 3.30 is so thin that it partakes of the shape of the outer snrface 368 of the slab surfacing roller 321 which now presses the paper 367 'onto the upper surface of the finishing material disposed in the upper portion of the molds,'so`

that the finished face ofthe slabs thus formed Y inthe individual slab molds 121 will partake of the nature of the surface 368. The

paper 367 is of the same width as the track mold 44. asl clearly shown in Fig. 3, and when form` 182 and the movement of the power winch 180 has been halted, the sheet of paper 367 is left covering the filled track mold 44.

i Bythe operation of the cranks 173, the elevated platforms ofthe traversing cars @are now raiseda distance equal tothe depth fof a track mold-45 andV anupper track mold 45 is placed over the lowermost track mold 44 soasV to accurately register therewith Vand 'i' be secured thereto by the catches 110'as previously described. The VVcar 43 is then run acrossthe track mold 45 to the receiving plat- .form 160. and back, thus vfilling this track the car 43 has returned tot-he receiving platmold in identically the same manner as above 7 izo described for the lowermost track moldv 4i. ln this manner as many asy twenty track moldsmay be superimposed upon each other and filled successively so as to form a kconsecutive series of horizontallayei's of cast slabs.

Y The layers may be broken up into stacks.

These stacks, as seen in Fig. 3, are formed f by casting a plurality of courses of slabs, one

upon the other, each successive course of slabs being cast upon the one next below it, preferably before the lower course is set. Thus the plastic material of each successive course 'of slabs flows into all the inequalities of thek upper surface of the course of slabs Vimmediately therebelow so 'that when the concrete of the slabs is set and the molds removed, a

Y consecutive series of stacks of slabs will rest Vupon the molding floor 30 with the` weight of all the slabs in each stack transferred to the slabs ther-ebeneat-h in such a manner that-no V undue stresses are set up tending to fracture of the slabs. Moreover, the surface any formedv upon the upper face of the slabs by the surfacing roller k321 will not loe changed kor marred in any way by the casting of a slab directly upon this surface. Instead of this, the finished surface of each course of slabs will be conserved by the conforming of V the papervto this surface and the conform- Y stack ingV of the material of the next higher course of slabs with all the inequalities of the paper. Y When the first stackv370 of filled track molds 412 has been built up to the desired height the traversing cars 40 and 41 are moved opposite the next casting lane 115 and a new stack 370 is built up in the same manner as the first. lt has been found that it is Snec- -essary toprovide track molds 42 for only molds, a series of stacks of slabs may be cast t0 COVE? Stich of the casting lanes 115 through- -out the length lof the casting floor 30 which may cover any desired distance. When the track molds 42 are removed, a consecutive series 371 of stacks 372 of slabs 373 remain resting upon each of the lanes 115, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

As previously mentioned, one of the out-v standing features of this invention is 'the etliciency and economy with which the slabs may Vbe cured while thus `standing in stacks upon the casting fioor 30. Because the slabs in each fit into each other so'that an' is eX- cluded from the entire stack, much as if it were a solid mass of concrete, water is lost from the stack only by evaporation from the uppermost surface thereof.. Also when vthe track molds 4.2 are removed from 'the stack,

the edges of the layers of paper 367 project outward to shade the exposed sides'urfacesv of the stack so that evaporation from these' surfaces is comparatively small. In fact, it is unnecessary to apply water tothe stacks of I* slabs, as more than suflicient water is retained f l in each stack of slabs, after the -casting thereof, for the complete and proper curing of the slabs therein. Y

The stacks of slabs ing floor until cured and, thereafter, inc" storage until sold for building purposes. It is desired for purposes of economy in hanf dling the slabs, and to prevent breakage in handling, to handle and transport the stacks remainupon'th'e cast- Q n 372 as units. To this end binding straps 375,V m

identical to the lower binding Ystraps 118, are placed across the top of the Vstacks 372 and opposite the straps 118, and the respectivev ends of the straps 375 and the strapsI 118 arev bent toward each other, as shown in Fig. 3, and joined by twisted wire so as to rigidly bind each stack of slabs 372 together for transportation. By the use of a truck 37 6, as shown inA Fig. 3, these stacks 372 'may be handled,A upon the casting floor r30 with great facility i and economy. y

The slab 373, as shown in Fig. 5, is reiiiforced by the reinforcing wires 108 from which the tongue'sl-07 extend'outwardly fromn the edges of the slab at its opposite ends,'the tongues 107 beingaligned 'on' the interfacial plane of the slab 373 with the holes 377 which are Vformed bythe cores 109 in the central portion of the opposite longitudinal edges of the slab. The purpose of this relationship between the tongues 107 and the holes377 is explained in detail in my above referred to co-pendin g application Vupon a building con struction, Serial No. 171,998,1iled March 2,..1 1927. It may sometimes be desirable for each" of the holes 377 to be formed in two holes 380 and 381, ras shown'in Fig. 6. Thus a web 382 of vmaterial which is disposed betweenA the holes 380 and 381 reinforces the longitud'iiialM edge of the slab 37 3. In order to form the holes 380 `and 381 a bifurcated core 3,83 is provided upon the innersurface of the track members 19 in the place of the unitary cores 109. l

Referring to the operation of the rmolding?l `car of my invention it is desired to stress the importance of the feature'of this car rolling, or sliding upon tracks which forma continuous mold and with which a plastic material. i, ycom'partment of the car is maintained in subs'tan'tially 'tightco'mmunication so vthat the fluid head of the plasticmaterial forces this material into the various portions of the mold.

Cooperating 'with this combination are the.. s-3

' many other featuresof the invention.

Vhi-le the car is shown as lprovided with wheels, this 'is not essential to the vsuccessful performance of its function. It is therefore desired that the term car, `as used in the claims, shall be taken to refer to any kindV of4 molds 42 so as to distribute any kind of plastic material therein.

vehicle capable of moving` upon the track Results produced Y lt Will be evident that While I have shown an embodiment of my invention adapted to produce building slabs, it is adapted to the production of other cement or concrete products such as' tile, silo staves,ashlaring, Wall jfacings, brick or the like, it beinof` evident that any plastic material suitable lfor molding which will harden after being molded maybe used in the manufacture of these p products by the method of my invention.

It has a peculiar. utility'inthat it enables me to produce a slab WhichY is of uniform i compositionthroughout or vvhi'chV preferably Withoutdangerof breaking the thin individ Y ual slabs. A A

consists of a mainbody of one `material such asstrong Wet mixfconcreteand a surface layer of diderent material and having a didierent texture, color, or surface adhesion.

. It has a .furtherutility in that it allows me to incorporate inthe slabs suitablereinforcement, the ends of Which project fromthe slab andlzform a part of the By casting the slabs in horizontal layers in a Wall it is not necessary to Wait until one layer sets before casting a succeeding layer and the production of horizontal layers continues until the Wall is builtV up to the de-` sired height. The concrete in the Wall starts to set as soon as it is deposited therein, and this setting isaccomplished under very favorable conditions since evaporation therefrom is very slow and -thewater initially in the'miX is substantiallyall available to supply the water of crystallization so necessary Vto strong concrete. z

`The use of the peculiar form' of track moldV described enables me to not only provide for the formation of horizontal layers of'unitying the track molds and concrete core toconcrete prior to its final sett-ing. .-1.65

form thickness but also to divide these layers into slabs of uniform length, `the tie` plates 68 being in effect cast inthe Walland get-her' so that a Wall of considerable height can be built up. It is to be noted that the Weight of the car 43 isl at all times taken.

entirely by the track molds 42 so that no stresses are imposed upon the previously cast The ,use of paper between the ,horizontal layersof the Wall'also has important advantages since the paper is quite inexpensive and,

being thin and flexible, does not prevent the Vdifferent slabs from' being mutually' self- "m supporting in the stack but does etfectually separate the slabs so that they can be readily detached from each other when it is desiredv to incorporate them in a structure.

By my inventionit is possible to produce slabs of maximum strength and uniform di- :mansions at an'extremely low Vcost and=in a form that permits of ready transportation without danger of breakage.

I claim as'my invention:` l. in a plantelt the'character described,

the combination of: amolding loor;'jjde`v pressed tracks uponropposite sides of said licor;4 trackniolds,` vertically. open, adapted. v.

for alignment in successive superimposed courses across said floor-,from one depressed track'to the othereach course-togetherwith elevators disposed at each end thereofbeing adapted to serve as a continuous track for a` molding car; elevators on Wheel-s adapted tol -run on said depressed tracks, respectively, and to raiseor lower or laterally inov'esaid molding car, and to connect and vserve With each course of molds as said track for said molding car; a wheeled molding ca r adapted to run uponrs'aidtrack, propelledby means` of a cablesupportedandactuatedby mechanism upon saidelevators orA their .structures. pr f r im 2. In apparatus for molding'slabs', ashlaring, tile, WallY facings and` likeV products of concreteV or other suitable pla'sticmaterial,

the combination of a molding'car and a track Vtherefor,'said track comprising closed end` sections and an'intermeeliateopen mold section; said car. comprising a. body on Wheels; a materialhopper, horizontalplates extending vfrontand .rear adapted to just clear said molds and prevent upheavaly of material; and a telescopic downwardly urged extension of said hopper slidably connectedv thereto` adapted to maintain aclose sliding fit With4 saiditrack; said hopperbeing downwardly opeiibut closed by Contact `with said ""closed `end sectionsr; material there charged intosaid hopper being adapted' during` car movement to settle into and `to fill y said molds underpredetermined fluid head pressure, substantially Without `loss of ma# terial or of compression, lsurplus material being stricken oli and' retained Within said car by iiieaii'sprovided therefor.

v 3. In an apparatus for the manufactureof concrete products, the combination of: a mold having longitudinal members provid- 4 iiiga pair ofY tracks; a car adapted `to travel upon said tracks `for filling saidmold `With molding material; and meansprovided upon y said car for strikingroliz an excess of said material deliveredto said mold and returning it into said car.

iso

4. In an apparatus 'tor the manufacture oi i V'concrete products. the combination oi: a

mold having longitudinal members providing a pair of tracks; a car adapted to travel upon said tracks, a molding-material container being provided upon said car; means fitting said mold to connectV said container With said mold as said car travels upon 'said tracks whereby said mold is filled with material; and me ans for striking oii the excess :material so that said excess isk retainer.` in

said container. v

5. In an apparatu, for the manuiactur of concrete produ-cts, the combination et: a

vmold having longitudinal members proviel ing a pair of tracks; a car adapted to travel upon said tracks, a molding-material container being provided upon said car; kand means iitting said mold to connect said conl tainerwith said mold as said cai' travels upon container moving in non-leaking connection with said mouth member and discharging` .pressure being conveyed material under pressure through said mouth member into said ino-lds; means provided for applying ypressure in addition to existent superimposed Weight into said molds through said material.A Y Y' 7. In apparatus for molding slabs, ashlar- ...1 4 .L, ing, tire, wall iacings and otnei suitable vproducts, the combination of: stationary `molds and moving` mold-charging means adapted in cooperation to receive, confine and mold concrete or other plastic materialunder confined pressure into said products, suhsta-ntially Y fithout Waste-oi material.

8. n'apparatus for casting concrete slabs comprising: molds for torming said slabs in successive superim iosed horizontal layers: i

caradaptcd to be supported by and to move -on said molds and to distribute concrete therein; and means for bringinor said car and the mold 'for each of said4 layers into the proper vertical. relationship to permit said car to perform its function,y as stated.

9.. In apparatus for molding slabs, aslilaring, tile, Wall facings and like products of concrete or other suitable plastic material, the combination of: molds adapted to be Aaligned in superimposed courses, each course being adaptable as a track for a molding car; a molding car adapted to run upon each ot said courses and to discharge molding material therein; and means for raising or loivering said car as Vpart orn said operation.

l0.v In an apparatus for the molding oit of said material, saidV slabs and the like, the combination of.: molds adapted for assemblage in. superimposed cou ses; a molding car adapted toltill said molds. with molding material When moving in communication therewith; and an elevatoriv adapted to raise, lower or laterally move said molding car in .ordervto communicate With other courses oi molds. f

1l. i-in apparatus for casting concrete slabs comprising: molds for YForming said slabs in successive superimposed layers; a car` adapted to be supportedby .and to'travel on said molds, and to distribute concrete therein; and means upon said car ior layingmaterialon each layer of slabs for. separating said layer from the layer disposed immediately thereabove. 1 i Y l2. A. method of molding-slabs in superimposed horizontal vlayersseparated 'by any suitablemeans, which comprises :positioning a series or" vertically open molds upon a hori- Zontahrlat surface; iilling .said molds and app1 g a separating means thereupon by the iunctioning of apparatus provided there- 'for upon a vehicie moving in definite rela-4 tionship to the positioning of said slabs,a`nd the repeating of said process in relation to successive series otL superimposed molds.

g8. jMechanism for molding slabs, ashlaring, tile, Wall viacin'gs Yand like products oiY` concrete orfother suitable plastic material, in superimposed courses, combining; mea-ns for casting said products in ysuperimposed coursesV and .means orf spreading upon reachV underlying course a .separating medium against adhesion of saidproducts.,

i4. A. method, oi manuacturingslabs of plastic molding composition, which comprises: assembling in 'succession superimposed horizontal courses of vertically open moids andcasting Within said molds, as assembled, superin'iposed horizontal layers of said composition discharged Vtrom a moving vehicle through an .automatically adjustable mouth member-thereof, VWhich maintains a closeslidingiit with certain members pertaining to said molds .thereby preventing the `Wasting of'said composition.

l5.fIn an apparatus for manufacturing slabs ot plastic imolding compositiomthe combination of: vertically open molds adapted toy be assembled in superimposed hori- Zonta/l courses; aA vehicle adapted to move in definite relationship to said assembled molds and to disch'aige said molding composition into said molds; and an automatically adjustable vehicle Vmouth member, through which said discharge is accomplished, said mouth member being adapted to; maintain a close sliding fit rwith certain members pertaining to said molds as assembled, thereby preventing Wasting of said composition.

16. In apparatus for molding slabs, ashlaring, tile, wall acings and like vproducts of concretel or other suitable plastic material, in

ico 

